Patent GB-247624-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to means for controlling the working conditions of printing adding machines
IPC: B41J35/00
Filed: 1924-10-16
Abstract: 247,624. Marks, E. C. R., (Elliott-Fisher Co.). Oct. 16, 1924. Adding-apparatus with several totalizers; connections to typewriters.-In a typewriting adding machine particularly of the Elliott-Fisher type, items may be entered in the various totalizers in the ordinary way and may be printed in red or black depending upon their nature (credit or debit), the selection of colour being under automatic control, a number may be printed but not entered, and the automatic decimal spacing may be disabled. All these possible working conditions of the machine are selectively controlled by a single sliding key 86 provided with justifying notches at 88, 89, 90. In the normal position of this key as shown in Fig. 1 credit and debit items are printed with their characteristic signs and colours and entered in the respective totalizers as the carriage containing the typing and adding mechanism arrives opposite the corresponding totalizers. When the key is pulled out one step, Fig. 2, the entry of a number in a totalizer is prevented, but the number is printed, the decimal-spacing remaining effective. If the key is drawn forward still further the machine can be used for recording only and the decimal spacing-mechanism is thrown out of action. In order that the condition of the machine may be readily ascertained an indicator tablet 39 bearing verbal signs is slidable within an apertured enclosure 40 and is connected with a spring-controlled lever 37 positioned under the dual control of a cam arm 49 on a shaft 82 provided with a plate 83 pivotally attached to the key 86, and of a shaft 8 rocked when credit items are being entered as described below. Adjusting for computing or recording only. - The totalizers are mounted on a relatively stationary frame 51, Fig. 11, and each is actuated, denomination by denomination, by a master pinion 53 supported in the typewriting and adding-mechanism carriage 1. The master pinion is differentially actuated by the numeral keys 59 by means of connections including a hook 58 on the key lever and a pin 57 on a link 56 pivotally suspended from a lever 54. The effectiveness of the key 59 for the purpose of actuating the master pinion is determined automatically in accordance with the position of the carriage 1. When this arrives opposite a totalizer a lever is rocked by engagement with a plate on the frame 51 and causes a hook 72 to swing and by its action on a pin 73 to rock a shaft 63. An arm 62 on this shaft thereupon, by means of a pin and slot connection, throws the link 56 forward to place the pin 57 into co-operative relation with the hook 58. To render this automatic action ineffective when it is desired to print an item without entering it in the totalizer, for example for printing a total beneath the added items, the key 86 is pulled out to the second notch, Fig. 2, and this through an arm 83, pin and slot connected to an arm 81, and a link 76 forces the hook 72 to the right so that it can no longer function to bring the pin 57 into operative position. The provision of finger plates 55 on the levers 54 enables these to be actuated directly when the operator wishes to compute without printing. Distinguishing marks.-The numeral keys are connected with levers 2, Fig. 10, having pivoted type-bearing heads 4 provided with an arm 5 cooperating with a ring 6 carried by an arm 7 secured to a shaft 8. For debit or normal calculations the ring 6 occupies the upper position shown in broken lines and type 4a is effective and strikes through the black stripe of the carbon ribbon. When the carriage arrives opposite a credit totalizer, however, an adjustable projection 20 produces a rocking of lever 17 and so of the shaft 8 to lower the ring into the path of arm 5, the result being that the head 4 is rocked to bring the type 4b into action. At the same time, bv mechanism including a pin and slot 12. 13. Fig. 11, the slide 15 is shifted to move the ribbon to bring the red stripe into position. The known stop plate 27 for limiting the movement of the ribbon is also controlled by connections with the shaft 8 to define the displacement of the ribbon shifter. Moreover, as stated above the indicator 39 is shifted to intimate that credit items are being entered. Punctuation.-When the machine is conditioned for typewriting without adding, the known mechanism for automatically causing two tabulating movements of the carriage at the decimal point is disabled. For this purpose the arm 94, Fig. 7, normally co-operating with a V projection 93 on the stationary frame is displaced. The arm 94 is mounted on a shaft 98 adapted to be axially shifted by a crank connection with a shaft 100 rocked by a link 103 pin and slot connected to the plate 83 attached to the key 86.